Melksham firm The Riverside MOT testing centre has marked 10 years in business by buying the freehold of its 1.77-acre site on the outskirts of the town.
The move, which secures the business’s future, is the result of a £180,000 finance deal secured through Barclays and the Government-backed funding for lending scheme.
Established in 2003 and owned by partners Christine Wood and Dennis Clark, the centre is known locally for its eye-catching vehicle displays at the front of its premises which can be seen from the busy A350. At present the display features a Hunter jet fighter aircraft. 
Christine, who manages the front of office and has a background in customer-facing roles, said: “This is a major milestone for our business. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent service and value for money and have built up a loyal client base over the years which we can now offer our services to indefinitely. By investing in our business in this way and with the support from our bank we can now plan for the future.”
The testing centre caters well for female motorists as Christine’s experience and knowledge enables her to de-mystify mechanics’ jargon, ensuring customers understand the best option and costs if their vehicle needs additional work to pass the MOT. The centre tests cars, bikes, trikes, light goods vehicles and motorhomes.
Barclays business manager Kelly Burge added: “Many local businesses may not consider contacting their bank for funding in instances such as this. This is a great example of how Barclays provided the funding to secure the freehold utilising its ‘cashback for business’ scheme which incorporates an instant cash injection which in turn will help boost the firm’s finances.”
The business employs five full and part-time staff and sources parts locally, so benefiting the Melksham economy.
